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In South Florida, a mother of three is facing a daunting financial consequence for overstaying her visa since 2005. The undocumented woman, referred to as Maria, has been issued a penalty amounting to nearly $2 million, specifically a daily fine of $500. This news has stemmed from the Trump administration’s recent enforcement policy regarding undocumented immigrants.
Maria, who came to the U.S. from Honduras, expressed her anxiety and fear while stressing that she does not want to return to her home country. She arrived in the U.S. in February 2005 and received a notice to leave just two days later. However, she did not attend her immigration hearing and has lived in the U.S. ever since, raising three children who are American citizens.
In an emotional recount of her situation, Maria explained that her well-being has suffered significantly due to the constant stress of her immigration status. She shared her fears about being deported, particularly the pain of being separated from her children. Maria’s attorney, Michelle Sanchez, has filed a motion to reopen her case and intends to fight the penalties imposed on her client.
The legal complexities surrounding her case highlight the ongoing national conversation about immigration policy, enforcement actions, and the human impact of these regulations. While Maria is determined to stay with her children in the only home they know, the looming fine complicates her already precarious situation.